For over a century, the mining industry was the beating heart of communities in South Yorkshire. Few in the 1970s could have foreseen that within a decade, the Tory Government would bring the industry to its knees, sparking a period of mass unemployment and social unrest, the effects of which still endure today. To many, the spontaneous celebrations following the announcement of Lady Thatcher’s death in April 2013 came as no surprise.

In South Yorkshire People and Coal, acclaimed local historian Peter Tuffrey presents an illustrated history of the mining industry in South Yorkshire, showing vividly the extent to which communities relied upon coal, and their desperation when the industry was taken from them. Pit sinkings, strikes, pickets, clashes with police, record hauls, tragedies, underground scenes, closures and redevelopment schemes are all recorded here as part of South Yorkshire’s coal mining story.

Once the pride of British industry, coal mining is now chiefly remembered for the gallant struggle of the miners to save their jobs and, therefore, their communities. South Yorkshire People and Coal is a tribute to their brave fight.

BOOK ISBN

9781781550601

FORMAT

248 x 172 mm

BINDING

Paperback

PAGES

176 pages

PUBLICATION DATE

15 September 2013

TERRITORY

World

ILLUSTRATIONS

83 black-and-white photographs

Peter Tuffrey was born in Doncaster in 1953. He studied Fine Art at Doncaster College of Art and then at Leeds University until 1974.

He was Keeper of Fine and Decorative Arts at Doncaster Museum and Art Gallery 1975-1995; freelance writer 1995-2000, PR Media Consultant for Doncaster Rovers 2000- 2002; and Area Manager for the Music Ground Group of Companies 2003-2010.

He is now working as a freelance writer. He has produced over 80 publications featuring the Doncaster area as well as Nottingham, Sheffield, and the Yorkshire area in general. He has also written many articles for local and regional newspapers and has recently penned a novel Angel from the Gutter.

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